Taekwondo Olympic qualifier in peril?

MANILA, Philippines — With President Duterte implementing a temporary travel ban to and from China due to the nCoV outbreak, the Philippine taekwondo team is in a wait-and-see mode concerning the Olympic qualifier scheduled in Wuxi, China in April.

“There is no announcement yet and we’re currently waiting for it,” said national team coach Dindo Simpao yesterday.

While Simpao didn’t admit it, there were hopes the Wuxi event will be moved to another country like what happened in boxing where an Olympic qualifier was transferred from Wuhan, China this month to Amman, Jordan next month.

Taekwondo is one of the sports where the country has strong chances of landing an athlete or two to the Tokyo Games this July and help end the Filipinos’ long wait to capture its first Olympic gold medal.

Taekwondo emerged as one of the most productive sports for the host Philippines in last SEA Games where it hauled eight gold, nine silver and four bronze medals.